Through rough terrain, mountain roads, snow, blizzards and wind, emergency medical technicians and paramedics in Teller County have been recognized regionally and nationally.  

Speaking to Teller County commissioners Bob Campbell, Erik Stone and Dan Williams Jan. 22, Zach Alvey highlighted the work of the Ute Pass Regional Health Services District/Community Paramedics and Southwest Teller County EMS.

“We service almost 900 square miles between all the EMS districts and so far this year have responded to 5,938 calls,” said Alvey, vice chair of the Teller County EMS council which includes Cripple Creek, Divide and Florissant.

With five ambulances available for service calls, 49 paramedics, 50 emergency medical technicians and 70 volunteers provide services within 10 fire departments, Alvey said.

“We are ready 24/7; we don’t know what’s going to happen, you don’t know what’s going to happen but we are prepared for that emergency,” Alvey said. ”And that is challenging in Colorado and in the rural environment, in Teller County especially.”  

Along with responding in adverse conditions, the providers add 4,000 hours of training a year at the federal, state and local levels, said Alvey, who received the 2024 National EMS Awards of Excellence EMT of the Year.

The awards and winners:

1. Audrea Brickell, human resources executive at the Golden Nugget Casino received the Citizens Rescue Award. “Audrea responded to somebody in cardiac arrest. As a citizen, she was able to administer Narcan and CPR and I can tell you the victim is alive and thriving today with no deficit,” Alvey said.
2. Anthony Benavidez and Darrick Landrum were named EMT and Paramedic of the Year by the Pikes Peak RETAC – Regional Trauma Advisory Council. “They have been recognized by their peers as exemplary providers,” Alvey said. The two are with Southwest Teller County EMS.
3. Southwest Teller County EMS, under the direction of Eric Murray, received the Excellence Award from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment for its data collection. “Charting data and reports are very challenging,” Alvey said. “That means patients don’t get billed for things they aren’t supposed to get billed for.”
4. Katie Leland, Community Paramedic, was named Educator of the Year from the Pikes Peak RETAC. “This award is for utilizing new techniques and new procedures for people who are going into people’s houses,” Alvey said.
5. Lindsey Doering received national recognition as Community Paramedics of the Year. “For calls that are really difficult, this is the person who is coming into your house, staying with you and talking with you,” Alvey said.
6. Chris Erickson, retired, paramedic and board member of the EMS Council received the Lifestime Achievement award from Pikes Peak RETAC. “The award is for absolutely going above and beypnd, ofeering mentorship, progression and development,” Alveysaid. “To have someone receive that award within our region is phenomenal.”
7. Katie Leland and Kara Fox, paramedic and chief financial officer of UPRHSD, respectively, received the National Star of Life award in Washington, D.C. “The award shows extreme excellence in challenging and trying times in ways that may not be patient-based,”Alvey said/

Tim Dienst is the executive director of the Ute Pass Health Services District and James McLaughline directs the Community Paramedic program.